By Jacob Aki
NaHHA would like to share an article from one of our Lamakū Hoʻokipa, our Beacons of Hospitality, who are making a positive impact through the value of mālama and as a contributing member of the Native Hawaiian community.
As a Native Hawaiian in the airline industry, I often find myself as the only kanaka in the room. But each space I enter is an opportunity – to bring our ʻike, our values, and our people forward. That is my kuleana.
In Hawaiʻi, aviation isn’t just transportation – it connects people, families, and cultures. It’s central to our economy and daily lives. But just as important as how we fly is who shapes the journey. Native Hawaiian leadership in this industry isn’t just important – it’s essential.
I’m proud that Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines understand this. They know that true aloha for Hawaiʻi means uplifting its people, and they empower us to help guide the company in ways that genuinely serve our communities. That kind of kuleana is powerful.
One of the most meaningful projects I help lead is the push for locally produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This effort goes beyond reducing carbon emissions. It’s about mālama ʻāina – redefining sustainability through ancestral wisdom and future needs. Local SAF could support farmers, promote food and fuel security, and align climate goals with indigenous values.
It also means creating pathways for our keiki to thrive at home. Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are investing in local workforce training for pilots and aircraft mechanics – high-skill, well-paying careers that don’t require leaving the islands. This is how we keep our lāhui strong: by building futures rooted in place and culture.
Mālama means all of this – caring for land, people, and culture with boldness, innovation, and aloha. When we’re given the chance to lead, we don’t just move the needle – we move mountains.
Our kūpuna were master navigators, guided by stars and ʻike. Today, we navigate new skies through leadership and advocacy. But the calling remains: to care for our people, our ʻāina, and our future.
Hawaiians belong in every space where decisions about our home are made. Not as guests. Not as afterthoughts. But as leaders. Because when we lead with ʻike kūpuna and a vision for future generations, we rise – and we lift our entire lāhui with us.
Jacob Aki is the senior public affairs manager for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. A Kamehameha Schools Kapālama graduate, he holds a B.A. in Hawaiian Studies from UH Mānoa and an M.A. in Political Management from The George Washington University. He previously served as a senior advisor and communications director for the Hawaiʻi State Senate. Passionate about Native Hawaiian advocacy, he is president of Ke One o Kākuhihewa and active in Hale o nā Aliʻi o Hawaiʻi. He is a dedicated husband and father, committed to uplifting the next generation of Native Hawaiian leaders.
